The MBA went from being the mark of an elite to two a penny. But, says Gary Miles, it has recently bounced back by offering more flexible learning that stresses self-reliance and closer links with business.

In retrospect, London Zoo was the perfect venue. Zoos today exist largely because of their role in conserving diversity - and here were 70 or 80 people busily beavering away to create yet more diversity. But the business people present were worried. At a time when they are increasingly bombarded with new management standards, and middle managers are already punch-drunk with new initiatives, this event was designed to boost diversity not by rescuing endangered species but by adding yet another standard to the already squirming heap.